The Hidden Dangers of Burn Injuries in LA Car Accidents: More Than Just Skin Deep

An experienced Los Angeles attorney can fight for the compensation you deserve

Car crashes don’t just cause broken bones and concussions – fires, chemicals, and friction burns can leave victims with injuries that extend far beyond the surface. While many people associate burns with flames, car accidents can lead to severe burns in ways that are not always obvious. Explosions, hazardous chemicals, and electrical malfunctions can cause life-altering damage, affecting not only the skin but also muscles, nerves, and internal organs.

Burn injuries from car accidents can take many forms, depending on the cause of the injury:

Thermal burns are caused by fires, explosions, or contact with hot metal, steam, or scalding liquids from a crash.
Chemical burns result from exposure to hazardous substances such as battery acid, airbag deployment chemicals, or spilled cargo in trucking accidents.
Electrical burns occur when a crash exposes victims to live wires, damaged vehicle electrical systems, or power lines brought down in the accident.
Friction burns (road rash) happen when a person is thrown from a vehicle or dragged along the pavement, scraping away layers of skin and causing deep tissue damage.
Radiation burns are less common but possible in crashes involving exposure to ultraviolet light, airbags, or certain industrial materials being transported.

In Los Angeles, where high-speed collisions and congested freeways create dangerous conditions, burn injuries from car accidents are more common than many realize. Fires sparked by fuel leaks, airbag chemicals, and electric vehicle battery malfunctions can all leave drivers and passengers with devastating burns. Even in crashes that don’t involve flames, the heat and friction from skidding across pavement can cause serious wounds. Burn victims often face prolonged hospitalizations, painful treatments, and lifelong medical complications.

Recovering compensation after a severe burn injury is rarely straightforward. Insurance companies frequently downplay the severity of burns, delaying or denying claims to protect their bottom line. But burn injuries are among the most expensive to treat, and victims need full compensation to cover medical care, lost wages, and the physical and emotional toll of their injuries. Without an experienced LA car accident lawyer, victims risk being left with a settlement that falls far short of their long-term needs.

How car accidents cause burn injuries

Severe burns can occur in car accidents for a variety of reasons, many of which extend beyond fire-related injuries. Here are some of the most common causes of burn injuries due to car accidents in LA and throughout the San Fernando Valley region.

Explosions and fires: High-impact collisions can rupture a fuel line, ignite leaking gasoline, or cause an engine fire. In crashes involving large commercial trucks carrying flammable cargo, explosions can be even more destructive. Victims trapped inside a burning vehicle often suffer life-threatening burns before they can escape.
Electric vehicle (EV) battery fires: California has the highest number of EVs in the country, and while they are generally safe, their lithium-ion batteries pose a significant burn risk in crashes. Unlike gasoline fires, EV battery fires burn hotter, release toxic chemicals, and are difficult to extinguish. A damaged EV battery can overheat and spontaneously ignite, exposing victims to extreme heat and hazardous fumes.
Chemical burns: Airbags, which deploy with explosive force, release chemicals that can cause burns on contact. In truck accidents, hazardous cargo such as industrial cleaners, acids, or other corrosive substances can spill, leading to severe chemical burns.
Friction: In high-speed crashes, drivers and passengers who are ejected from their vehicles or dragged along the pavement can suffer deep friction burns. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians hit by vehicles are especially at risk.
Electrical: Some crashes result in contact with downed power lines, exposed vehicle wiring, or electrical systems within a vehicle. These burns can be particularly dangerous because they may not be immediately visible but can cause internal damage to muscles and organs.
Hot surfaces and fluids: Even in accidents without fire, victims can suffer burns from coming into contact with overheated engine parts, hot metal surfaces, or scalding radiator fluids.

Regardless of the cause, burn injuries can lead to devastating complications that affect every aspect of a victim’s life.

The long-term effects of burn injuries

Severe burns often cause lasting complications beyond the initial healing process. Nerve damage can lead to chronic pain, numbness, or permanent loss of sensation, sometimes requiring surgery. Scar tissue can restrict movement, making physical therapy and additional procedures necessary.

Burn wounds are highly prone to infection, which can lead to sepsis and life-threatening complications. Smoke inhalation can cause lung damage, while severe burns may trigger organ failure or shock. Even with treatment, these issues can extend hospital stays and delay recovery.

Psychological trauma is also common, with many survivors experiencing PTSD, depression, or anxiety. Permanent scarring and lifestyle changes can take a heavy emotional toll. Given the lifelong effects of these injuries, full compensation is not just important, it is essential to rebuilding lives after accidents. Without legal representation, many burn injury victims are pressured into accepting settlements that do not account for these long-term costs.

Challenges in burn injury claims

Burn injury claims are particularly complex, as they often involve extensive medical evidence, multiple liable parties, and aggressive tactics from insurance companies. Insurance companies in California frequently make the process difficult by:

Disputing the severity of injuries: They may argue that burns are less severe than claimed, downplaying the need for reconstructive surgery, long-term care, or psychological support.
Delaying claims: Insurers often drag out the claims process, forcing victims to wait months or even years for compensation while medical bills pile up.
Offering lowball settlements: Many victims are pressured into accepting settlements that barely cover immediate expenses, let alone long-term care.
Blaming the victim: California follows a comparative fault system, and insurance companies may try to shift blame onto the injured party to reduce their payout.
Challenging liability: In accidents involving vehicle fires, electric vehicle (EV) battery malfunctions, or hazardous truck cargo, insurers may dispute which party is responsible to avoid paying full compensation.
Exploiting California’s high medical costs: Insurers may claim that requested compensation is excessive due to the state’s expensive healthcare system, even when the costs are justified.

Determining liability can also be complex, especially in cases involving defective vehicles, electrical malfunctions, or hazardous materials. A single crash may involve multiple responsible parties, including negligent drivers, automakers, trucking companies, or even government agencies responsible for road safety.

Proving the full impact of burn injuries requires strong legal advocacy. Without it, victims risk being undercompensated for their medical expenses, lost earnings, and lifelong challenges.

Why legal representation is essential

Navigating a burn injury claim is not easy, especially when dealing with uncooperative insurance companies and complicated liability issues. A strong legal advocate can make all the difference by:

Building a strong case with medical records, accident reports, and expert testimony to prove the extent of the injury.
Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies to secure a settlement that reflects the true long-term costs of the injury.
Identifying all liable parties, ensuring that victims receive compensation from every responsible source.
Fighting for maximum compensation, preventing victims from being pressured into low settlements that leave them struggling in the future.

Burn injuries change lives, but they should not leave victims struggling to afford the care they need. The legal process can be overwhelming, and insurance companies rarely make it easy, but with the right legal team, burn victims can focus on healing while experienced professionals fight for their rights.

Oaks Law Firm understands the challenges burn injury victims face, and their Los Angeles car accident lawyers know what it takes to maximize compensation. From medical expenses and lost wages to reconstructive surgery and long-term care, they fight for every dollar their clients deserve. If you or a loved one suffered severe burns in a car accident, don’t settle for less than full justice. Contact Oaks Law Firm today for a free consultation and let their team help you take the next step toward recovery.

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